A local couple has been arrested for allegedly stealing funds from the Madison County Youth Association (MCYA).

MCYA treasurer Michael Hawkes and his wife, Sherry, both 40 from Colbert, allegedly took over $10,000 from the organization and used the money on various personal expenses, such as groceries and a trip to Panama City. The stolen funds are from MCYA revenues such as fund raisers and children’s participation fees in MCYA activities.

The Hawkes are both charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

According to Sheriff Kip Thomas, the arrests followed a two-and-a-half month investigation, which was launched after MCYA board members contacted the office to report suspicious activities by the couple. Thomas declined to give a specific dollar figure on what was stolen, but he said it was over $10,000.

So true. As wrong as this couple is, MCYA parents need to be careful what they say around their kids. The kids of this couple should not be subject to bullying because of what their parents did. They are innocent in this situation. I am more concerned about them than the money lost to everyone. Words can destroy a child.

Unfortunately, kids will be kids and they will talk regardless of what is said. That being said I do agree that people need to be careful as to what is said around their children and other family members because I'm sure they are embarrassed beyond measure and disappointed. It's a very sad situation that unfortunately should have been seen coming a mile away. These people have never displayed nothing but rudeness, dishonesty and an undue conceitedness. Because of the way they have presented themselves over the years it has already made many not want to be around them nor their family members. These two should be ashamed of themselves and should have thought about their children if nobody else. They were too worried about keeping up with the "jones" for it to matter how this would affect their family, especially their children. I hope that justice prevails and they both pay the price that comes with the crime. They have plenty of great family members that could raise their kids and be good influences on them.

This should have been looked into a few yrs back, there's no telling what else was going on.
Some of us had questions in 2007-2008, but they had friends who didnt want to say anything or "hurt" their feelings by questioning their actions in fear of their not helping anymore with the MCYA. When some things didn't look right, people were wondering about them already, but there were always the same people defending them.
The Hawkes didnt have a problem calling people out and embarrassing them.....I think they enjoyed it.
I do want to thank the person/persons who finally brought this situation to someone who was more concerned about their stealing than being their friend.
I am glad they were caught.

I feel sorry for their kids and their family. He comes from a good family and if this is true it is not fair to them. They weren't thinking of them if this really happened and they will suffer because of their stupidness if they are found guilty. Praying for their family.

The mcya parents should have been speaking out for years these two have been stealing for a long time.I'm glad they were finally caught.good riddance to them both. I hope they both get what they deserve.

The building at the track cost about double what it should have .they were involved with building process .this needs to be looked into .we said something right after it was finished I wished we would have went over board members who defended them . If investigators go back that far its going to be very bad for them .I fell bad for them hope its not a slap on the wrist time to pay the piper and restution

My daughter has cheered for 3 years and we were not happy at all by how we were treated by sherry. We had raised over $300.00 each time for homecoming and our daughter only got a trophy for walking not queen first or second place. Note that we handed our money in to sherry every time. She was always very rude. Last year her cousins granddaughter had one queen against my daughter, before homecoming I would hear them talking at games and practices and sherry would say don't worry she has got it in the bag or she gonna be named queen if even its only a penny over the others.? Me and my husband had thought that it was strange that they were saying these things in public out loud. It was very upsetting because our child and the other children would hear this, at one point my daughter had said that she did not want to walk after this. She is only 7. Our coach had canceled over half of the practices and games because she did not want to come and when I confronted her she said I'm only coaching because sherry cut the uniform fee which is reg. 80-100 bucks. and I didn't have to pay the registration which is reg 100.00 or more. When I called sherry she told me not to worry about it and I said that it was not fair to us to because we had payed alot of money for our daughter to cheer not to sit at home. Sherry replied that she didn't want to hear it and if we had one game and practice that was practically our moneys worth.? And we had to pay to get into the games and had to drive clear up to the mountains for some of them. So we are very happy that they got caught.

As far as I can recall this is still United States of America. Ever heard presumed innocent until found guilty? What about judge not? I don't know if they did this or not. I am not about to hang my hat on a couple paragraphs in a newspaper.

Well now a few years ago I was called a liar. by this couple and I almost got into a fist fight over it in the parking lot with a friend of mine. Well I hope now they see who lies cheats, steals and who does not.

My son has played at the park for 5 years and I have never gotten along with Sherry. She has always just been a rude person with a power trip and never did her job correctly but blamed everyone else. I don't know if they did it or not but it does seem kinda funny that this past year when pictures were taken we paid cash for all 3 of our kids but the only one that we were told we did not pay for was the one that Sherry handled. Needless to say I would not pay her again and finally we were given our pictures.

Who cares if the paper got their age right. these people have been dishonest and crooked almost from day one with their involvement with the mcya. if the investigation would go back a lot further it would show most likely that the amount is much more than 10, 00 . these people constantly brag about all the expensive gambling trips they would take the Biloxi,Cherokee and other vacations. they would raise thousands of dollars each year and never buy our show any legitimate expense to any member. even going as for one time as to say it's none of anybody's business how much they raised or have or spend. I think if the investigators would also go as far back they may see the other board members may also be involved in protecting them and maybe even in participation with. however don't let your guard down. just because these two are gone doesn't mean the organization will be any more legit.the people running it may not be stealing money from us but until they have a legitimate board that is elected by the parents and members of the MCYA, hold open meetings and not the coaches trying to run it to promote themselves and their own interest. This will likely then cut down on future corruption and people doing what the Hawkes havef done .

the way I look at it is sherry is a very controlling, rude person. I can see het doing this but not Michael. I think the only thing he should be charged with is being married to her. I think she will frame him and do whatever it takes to get out of the situation because she thinks she can get away with anything. I hope the police really look closely at this case and not jump to conclusions just because they are married. a lot of married people do things everyday that their spouse is not aware of!

I have really wanted to stay out of this BUT shame on everyone that "suspected" this and let it go to avoid hurt feelings are making them mad, myself included. I consider myself a looker...i sit on the sidelines, get my kids to practice, pay whatever is asked and try to enjoy what MCYA has to offer. My experience with Michael and Sherry has been limited but i did witness Sherry first hand cussing her husband out in front of our children, using language that embarassed even me. Why didn't I turn her in? Was in lack of caring or was it i didn't want to get involved? I hope it was the involvment, I see the clicks that run the show and really just wanted my child to learn something and enjoy football...that's a joke on it's on up there but at least he got a trophy? Maybe in my next lifetime i'll have a quarterback and steal and be rude and hateful to people to get my kid ahead??? Sounds like a good thought???

I pray MCYA takes heed to this now...this isn't the first time and it won't be the last if there is not some type of checks and balance...Good Luck, and I thank god my kids are over that age!!!

Shame on you Mr. Or Mrs. #16 Anonymous for talking about their child!! That boy earned quarterback! He is an amazing athlete!! As far as I can tell most these posts are just full of hate! I will pray for each of you that have said such awful things!

we've known this couple for a long time, just like a lot of other people in the community. It pains me to see so many people casting their judgment on these two. However, we have had our questions about sherry as well, and now at this point all we can do is give it to God. their children are precious people too, and do not deserve to hear or see all the negative talk about their parents. They don't need to see that Madison County has turned their back on them. From what i've read, it sounds like some of us need to step back and look at our own lives before we judge others. you may not have committed this crime but im sure if you dig deep enough you will find something you are not proud of.

Assuming that they are charged, is there a statutory limit as to the charges? What I am referring to is the amount, does over the 10K mark mean additional charges or tougher laws? Other members in our county have been charged with stealing and they were also sent to prison. If convicted, this couple should be no exception.

Just because we stand up for ourselves does not mean that we are rude or being mean to their children. We are saying the truth and that's what matters. What do you expect us to say? Oh these honest caring people would never steal our money and do these rude dishonest things. Maybe we should just hand them our paychecks, it would be a lot easier and at least we would know where our money went. And speaking of children, how do you think our children feel? Should we forget about our children and put theirs first? No! I don't blame their children, but I'm not gonna sit and lie about what has been done. Oh and I will pray every night that justice will be served and that god protects everyone's children yours, theirs and mine. God bless and have a good night.